Page 37 of The Attercop

Declan shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll give it more thought tomorrow. Anyway, enough about me. This is your big day. How’d it go?”

“I got Mrs B everything she needs for Mr Vanstone for the summons. Hopefully it will be enough. I also set up a meeting with Jules for Thursday. We’re going to run over the security protocols and devices, then we’ll schedule the installation of security equipment in her dorm room this weekend.”

“Well, doesn’t that sound like…fun?”

“Then I thought I’d take her to the ice cream shop down the street. We can order sundaes and she can tell me all about the boy she’s got a crush on…”

“She’s got a crush on someone?” Declan asked sincerely.

Charlie just crossed his eyes. “Don’t you recognise sarcasm when you hear it? All the babysitters are using it these days.”

“At least the babysitters of kids with psychotic moms who want to kill them.”

“Yeah,” Charlie answered. “I guess this case might be more interesting than I thought.”

Declan looked at his phone. “If we’re not going to be late, you should get changed. Put on something nice, not too dressy, but comfortable.”

Charlie shut down his computer then headed to the stairs leading up to the apartment. As he passed through the main office, Mrs B came in with the dog.

“Have a lovely time tonight,” she said.

“Thanks, Mrs B. And good luck with Duck.”

“I’m sure we’ll get along like jam on toast. Now, him and my sister…that might be another story.”

Charlie laughed. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Declan removing a bag from the cupboard in his office credenza.Now, I wonder what he’s up to?

Charlie quickly made his way upstairs, rifled through his closet and put on a pale-blue shirt and grey pants. He checked himself in the mirror and smiled. He’d look good walking into a restaurant with Declan on his arm. When he returned to the office, Declan was by Mrs B’s desk.

“You two have fun,” she said, winking.

They made their way to the street and Declan opened the rear passenger door of an awaiting car.

Charlie asked, “Where are we going?”

Declan grinned mysteriously. “You’ll just have to wait and see. All I can say is tonight is about surrounding yourself with people who love you. It took a little behind-the-scenes skulduggery, but…I think this will be just right. Now get in.”

Charlie hopped in the car and stared out the side window as the car made its way to a destination unknown. As the vehicle turned up 16th Avenue, Charlie’s pulse rate went up. “Tell me we arenotgoing where I think we’re going.”

Declan turned to him. “And where’s that?”

Charlie was pretty sure he knew where they were headed, and it filled him with terror. It had been almost seven months since Charlie and Declan’s accidental encounter with Charlie’s parents during their clandestine meeting with his grandmother. Over half a year since he had come out to them about being gay, and told them that he was in a relationship with Declan—and a long time since Charlie had heard a word from his father.

“We’re going to my parents’ place, aren’t we? Why are you doing this?” Charlie asked. He felt panic rising in his chest.

Declan reached over and took his hand. “It’ll be all right. I think this is one of those times when you just have to pull the bandage off quickly.”

“I’d like to keep the bandage right where it is, thank you very much.”

The car drove a few more blocks before Declan said, “I think things will be different this time.”

“Why? Because it’s my birthday and that gives me special magical powers of protection?”

“No. Because your mother asked me to bring you there.”

Charlie stared at him. “You talked to them?” He felt like screaming. How dare Declan go over his head. “Without running it by me first?”

“Would you pull over for a minute?” Charlie asked the driver. The guy looked back at him in the rear-view mirror. “Now!” Charlie shouted.